trex1 Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I handled one of these for the first time at pretty down at heels Japanese camera shop the other day. It was bout 11000 dollars, and was in perfect shape except someone had tried to deface the serial number. Then I checked ebay and a mint in the box new one had gone for 10000 dollars recently.<p> Anyway, the KE-7a felt really solid. How would I get an M body that is well made as the KE-7A, or is there no difference. If I had the money I would pay the 10 grand in a heartbeat for one of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd_adank Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 <p>Hey Darius I was at one time a U.S. Army still photographic specialist and was issued by choice a few Leica kits both ks 15-4 and ke-7a. I say by choice because very few photogs wanted to bother with rangefinders. Yes I still laugh even today 20 yrs. later. If you like the fit and finish get a m4 its as good just less sealing or if You want a meter get a m6 or mp. I was lucky enough to purchase my issued ks15-4 kit for $65.00 from p.d. office. Oh its beat to the nines but its still a wonderful camera to shoot. I believe only a few of these cameras are anything close to mint which explains the price. I wish You luck with Your purchase. I bought My first Leica on Privates pay and never looked back. people think Leicas are expensive but these cameras don't fall apart like other things in this throw away society.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplumpton Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 <p>Were these made in Midland, around the time of the M-4 and M4-2 (1970s)? That plant was involved also in a lot of military stuff for Leitz (and still is, under a new name).</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Blackwell Images Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 <p>"How would I get an M body that is well made as the KE-7A, or is there no difference."</p> <p>The KE-7a is essentially a black chrome M4 with Midland Canada and military engraving on the topcover. So you can just buy yourself a nice M4 for about a fifth of the cost.</p> “When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” – Yogi Berra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james mitchell dc Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 <p>When I was in Tokyo three years ago, I saw a Japanese guy walking around shooting with a KE-7A and a 35mm Summicron. It was his everyday shooter... He kept hiding it from me until he saw my M2. He had not interest in a trade...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trex1 Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 <p>Hi Bill, I don't know, but that KE7A sure seemed a lot more built than an M4. It could simply be the matt black paint and some kind of heavy duty lubricant, that smelled like gunpowder (seriously). Also, the thing that always gets me is why can't Leica make another 50mm lens with the dimensions of the KE lens? It is much more compact than any other 50 f2 I have ever seen.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil_parker Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 <p>Hey batman :), according to an article by Jason Schneider of Modern Photo. written in the 70's, the KE-7A was essentially the same as an M4 (discontinued at that time), but with black chrome instead of black paint. It was made for US military, hence the Mil. markings, and was sealed against dirt: "...a black, tar-like substance seals the baseplate...". That may be the odor you detect. It was assembled in Canada from Wetzlar-made parts.</p> <p>The Elcan 50mm f2 was constructed of only 4 elements for minimum size for some unknown military use. And was not considered of 'Leitz' quality, so was named Elcan.</p> <p>One for the collectors, not the users.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Blackwell Images Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 <p>"Hi Bill, I don't know, but that KE7A sure seemed a lot more built than an M4. It could simply be the matt black paint and some kind of heavy duty lubricant, that smelled like gunpowder (seriously). Also, the thing that always gets me is why can't Leica make another 50mm lens with the dimensions of the KE lens? It is much more compact than any other 50 f2 I have ever seen."</p> <p>The KE-7a body was produced in black chrome (not black paint), just like the late production M4 was. And the 50mm f/2 Elcan was not a stellar performer either. The only reason these items are so pricey is because they were produced in very small numbers (505 sets, IIRC).</p> <p>Once again, all you're gaining with the KE-7a body, over a standard production M4, is its "pretty" (and rare) engraving. </p> “When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” – Yogi Berra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin_elliott Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 <p>"And was not considered of 'Leitz' quality, so was named Elcan"<br> Elcan is a contracted form of "Ernst Leitz Canada" Absolutely nothing to do with quality!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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